Our dedicated team uses state-of-the-art materials and techniques for stability and longevity. You'll enjoy the comfort and confidence of natural-looking teeth.

We accept most insurance carriers. Please check with us prior to your appointment, but it's safe to say we likely accept the type of insurance you carry.

Philadelphia area dentist Dr. Stephan Inker and his knowledgeable staff can help answer any of your insurance questions. At Stephan A. Inker, D.D.S we aim to maximize your insurance benefits and make any remaining balance easily affordable.

If you suffer from dental anxiety in the Philadelphia area, Dr. Inker can help. We offer several options that can make your dental treatments pleasant and stress-free. Our team at Stephan A. Inker, D.D.S is trained to help you feel comfortable. You'll be able to feel relaxed while receiving the friendly, professional oral care you deserve.

Philadelphia area dentist, Dr. Stephan Inker has extensive experience providing dental phobia treatments that help patients ease their dental anxiety. If fear of the dentist is keeping you from getting the quality dental care you need, we can help. You're not alone. Our trained team works with all kinds of anxiety and stress. We'll help you get the dental treatment you need in a way that makes you feel comfortable.

Philadelphia area Invisalign® dentist Stephan Inker, D.D.S. is happy to provide your new clear braces. At Stephan A. Inker, D.D.S, we want you to have the straight teeth and beautiful smile you desire.

We're happy to assess your needs create your individual treatment plan for braces. You may be able to have your new Invisalign® aligners sooner than you think!

Request an Appointment With Stephan A. Inker, D.D.S

Zaheer Chaudhry, D.D.SAppointments: (215) 291-6004

Zaheer Chaudhry D.D.S.

Zaheer Chaudhry, D.D.S

Here at Zaheer Chaudhry, D.D.S, your comfort is our number one priority. We will do our utmost to put you at ease and keep you feeling relaxed and secure. Under the experienced leadership of Dr. Zaheer Chaudhry, our dedicated team of professionals is at your service to explain your treatment thoroughly and answer any questions you may have.

Philadelphia area restorative dentistry at Zaheer Chaudhry, D.D.S can produce natural-looking results. If you have a damaged or missing tooth, we can help.

Our highly skilled team will assess your need for a crown, bridge, implant or other procedure to restore or improve your smile. Our goal is to provide quality dental care for your life-long oral health.

The friendly, caring staff of Zaheer Chaudhry, D.D.S in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area strive to make you feel comfortable and well-cared for at your dentist appointment. Zaheer Chaudhry, D.D.S. is committed to serving you and your family's dental needs, year after year. Come and see what we have to offer in a professional setting where top-notch customer service still matters.

Dr. Zaheer Chaudhry has a gentle touch and provides comfortable cleaning for a whiter smile. Offering general dentistry in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, Dr. Chaudhry assures you that a bright, healthy smile is the result of regular, preventative, professional dental cleanings.

If you want a gorgeous smile that turns heads, you may want to learn about the range of dental services offered at Zaheer Chaudhry, D.D.S. Philadelphia area cosmetic dentist Dr. Zaheer Chaudhry is dedicated to producing quality results and beautiful smiles.

Request an Appointment With Zaheer Chaudhry, D.D.S

Signature Dental of Bucks CountyAppointments: (215) 443-7373

David Valen D.M.D.

Signature Dental of Bucks County

If you're looking for dentures that look great and last, look no further than Signature Dental of Bucks County located in the Warminster, PA area. David Valen, D.M.D. will assess your needs and fit you with durable, comfortable, natural-looking dentures - at a price you can afford.

Signature Dental of Bucks County is a trusted Warminster area provider of Invisalign® for teens provider. We know that as a parent, the oral health and happiness of your teenager is important.

We're here to serve your family's needs, and ensure that your teens get the best results from their Invisalign® clear braces. You'll be thrilled with your teenager's straight teeth and confident smile.

Dr. David Valen at his Warminster dentistry practice is pleased to offer you a free smile analysis if you are 18 years old or older. Our friendly and professional team will make you feel comfortable and welcome.

We'll answer your questions and assess your dental needs to achieve long term oral health. Our goal is to make your visit enjoyable, and to give you the smile you deserve.

Warminster area restorative dentistry at Signature Dental of Bucks County can produce natural-looking results. If you have a damaged or missing tooth, we can help.

Our highly skilled team will assess your need for a crown, bridge, implant or other procedure to restore or improve your smile. Our goal is to provide quality dental care for your life-long oral health.

David Valen, D.M.D. is proud to be a trusted Warminster area Zoom!® teeth whitening dentist. Our patients love the short amount of time the tooth whitening treatment takes as much as they love the results.

You'll be able to relax in our comfortable surroundings. In just about an hour, you'll have a sparkling white smile!

Your Mouth During Oral Cancer Treatment

Each year, many people are treated for oral cancer. Chemotherapy treatments for cancer and radiation treatment for head and neck cancer often cause oral complications. About half of chemotherapy patients experience oral complications, particularly those being treated for leukemia and those who receive bone marrow transplants.

These oral cancer complications significantly decrease quality of life and can lead to serious systemic problems, complications, septicemia, eating difficulty, nutritional deficiencies, and dehydration. The following are descriptions of oral problems that can occur with cancer treatment:

Infections of the oral cavity can be caused by the usual organisms found in the mouth or by opportunistic organisms not usually found in the mouth. These infections can lead to serious systemic infections. The risk is higher for individuals who have reduced numbers of circulating white blood cells (leukopenia).

Candidiasis is the overgrowth of candida albicans, a fungal organism that normally is found in the mouth.

Musositis is painful and causes problems with eating and speaking. Soft tissues are red, ulcerated, and inflamed. The oral cavity is susceptible to mucositis because of its high cell turnover.

Hemorrhage or bleeding of the oral cavity can occur when clotting factors are affected and during bone marrow suppression.

Xerostomia or dry mouth is associated with decreased, sticky, or thickened saliva. Dry soft tissues are more susceptible to pain, infection, and irritation. Dry mouth is associated with a high number of dental caries.

Altered taste or loss of taste is common and is related to the reduced saliva volume, as well as its altered consistency.

Trismus, fibrosis, and scarring of the chewing muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ, the joint that moves the lower jaw) that were in the radiation field may make opening the mouth difficult and limited.

Osteoradionecrosis (soft tissue and bone necrosis) can be spontaneous or secondary to trauma, extractions, or dental prostheses. The radiated tissues have reduced blood vessels, decreased cells, and decreased oxygen that predisposes the tissues for years after the radiation therapy to this compromised state that makes oral surgical procedures risky. Therefore, prior to and post oral surgery, patients who have had head and neck radiation may require hyperbaric oxygen treatments and antibiotic therapy to prevent osteoradionecrosis.

Radiation dental caries is a term used for rapid tooth demineralization and severe cavities that occur with head and neck radiation, particularly when the parotid, submandibular, submental, or submaxillary salivary glands are in the radiation field.

To reduce risk for oral cancer complications, a dentist should perform a pretreatment oral examination, as well as necessary dental treatment before initiating chemotherapy or head and neck radiation. It is important that the dentist consult with the physician or oncologist before dental treatment because people who are about to undergo treatments for cancer may be immunosuppressed or thrombocytopenic (blood clotting disorder).

The goals of the dental examination and dental treatment are to eliminate existing or potential oral infection and potential for trauma. Infection, potential infection, and trauma can be associated with soft tissue lesions, decayed or broken teeth, dental implants with poor prognosis, periodontal disease, and poorly fitting full or partial dentures. The oral examination consists of hard and soft tissue examinations, periodontal assessment, and necessary radiographs. Since long-term effects of head and neck cancer radiation treatments will be harmful to the bone in the radiated area (field), patients who undergo head and neck radiation treatment should have teeth and implants with potential for future problems considered for extraction before the cancer treatment begins.

The patient's ability and interest in maintaining oral health, as well as the ability to comply with an oral cancer prevention routine, should be factors that are considered as the dentist develops and discusses dental treatment recommendations with the patient.

By Denise J. Fedele, DMD, MS

Learn How Plaque And Gum Disease Relate To Older Adults

The proverbial way of referring to older people as being "long on the tooth" suggests that it is predetermined that as we get older our teeth get "longer" or "no longer." This is not true.

Periodontal disease, plaque and loss of teeth is not an inevitable aspect of aging. Loss of attachment or bone support around a tooth is the
result of a bacterial infection. What is true is that as we get older, we have more exposures to these infectious organisms, and more probability of being infected and developing periodontal disease. Half of the people over 55 have periodontal disease.

Risk factors that make older adults more susceptible to periodontal disease include:

Systemic diseases: Certain systemic diseases such as diabetes may decrease the body's ability to fight infection and can result in more severe periodontal disease. Osteoporosis also can increase the amount and rate of bone loss around teeth. Systemic illnesses will affect periodontal disease if it is a pre-existing condition. To reduce the effects of systemic diseases on the oral cavity, maintain meticulous plaque control and visit your dental care provider routinely for examinations and professional cleanings.

Medications: Heart medications can have a direct effect on the gums by creating an exaggerated response to plaque and resulting in gum overgrowth. Antidepressants may create dry mouth and reduce the saliva's ability to neutralize plaque.

Immunosuppressants and other disease-fighting medications may reduce the body's ability to combat infection, increasing the risk for periodontal disease. The dental care provider needs to be aware of any medications you may be taking and you need to maintain meticulous plaque control and visit your dental care provider routinely for examinations and professional cleanings.

Dry mouth: Lack of saliva can result from the use of certain medications or as a result of illness. If there is not enough saliva available to neutralize plaque it can result in more cavities and periodontal disease.

Also, dry mouth, or xerostomia, can make dentures more difficult to wear and may also complicate eating, speaking, or swallowing of food. Oral rinses or artificial saliva can be very helpful with these problems.

Frequent sips of water or eating candy may be helpful as long as it doesn't contain sugar. Fluoride rinses and gels are helpful in reducing or preventing the cavities that can be caused by having a dry mouth.

Dexterity problems: Physical disabilities can reduce dexterity and the ability to remove plaque on a daily basis. Poor oral hygiene can increase the risk for cavities and periodontal disease.

Electric toothbrushes and floss holders are helpful in improving plaque control. Frequent professional cleanings combined with oral anti-microbial or fluoride rinses also may be helpful in reducing the incidence of cavities and periodontal disease.

Estrogen deficiency: Older women may have some special concerns in relation to periodontal disease. Scientific studies have suggested that the estrogen deficiency that occurs after menopause may increase the risk for severe periodontal disease and tooth loss. Estrogen replacement therapy may reverse these effects.

It is important to keep teeth as we age because every tooth has an important function in chewing and speaking. They affect our appearance and self esteem.

Having dentures or loose or missing teeth can restrict our diets, resulting in poor nutrition and systemic complications. With the advances in modern dentistry and with current prevention and treatment techniques, we must count on keeping our teeth for a lifetime -- no matter how "long" that may be!

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.